The Hope College Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland will continue its tradition of showing contemporary and independent films through its 2012 winter film series beginning in January.

The series will feature two films in January, one in February and one in April. The series will begin with "Senna," and continue with "Restless," "The Way" and "The Salt of Life." All films will be shown at 7:30 p.m.

"Senna" will run Monday-Thursday, Jan. 9-12, and Saturday, Jan. 14. Ayrton Senna's remarkable story, charting his physical and spiritual achievements on the track and off, his quest for perfection and the mythical status he has since attained, is the subject of the documentary feature that spans the racing legend's years as an F1 driver. Far more than a film for F1 fans, "Senna" eschews many standard documentary techniques in favor of a more cinematic approach that makes full use of astounding footage, much of which is drawn from F1 archives and previously unseen. Winner of several awards, including best-audience awards at the Sundance and Los Angeles film festivals, the film was also called "dazzling," by "Entertainment Weekly" and "the best super hero movie of the year" by "Motor Trend" magazine. The film is rated PG-13.

"Restless," showing Monday-Saturday, Jan. 16-21, is the story of a terminally ill teenage girl who falls for a boy who likes to attend funerals and their encounters with the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze pilot from World War Two. Upon learning of Annabel's imminent early passing, Enoch offers to help her face her last days with an irreverent abandon, tempting fate, tradition and even death itself. Directed by Academy-Award-winning Gus Van Sant ("Milk," "My Own Private Idaho," "Good Will Hunting"), the film stars Mia Wasikowska, who recently received rave reviews for "Jane Eyre," and Henry Hopper. The film is rated PG-13.

"The Way," showing Monday-Saturday, Feb. 6-11, is a powerful and inspirational story about family, friends and the challenges in navigating the ever-changing and complicated world. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France, to collect the remains of his adult son (played by his real-life son Emilio Estevez, who wrote and directed the movie), killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking the Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. Rather than return home, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage to honor his son's desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn't plan on is the profound impact the journey will have on him and his "California Bubble Life." The film is rated PG-13.

"The Salt of Life," showing Monday-Saturday, April 2-7, is about Gianni, a 60-year-old retired man who helpfully gives a hand to all those who need one: shopping for his wife, walking the pretty neighbor's dog and so on. Everybody likes Gianni, but who loves him? Agreed, being kind to them, he is the ladies' pet, but he does not attract them anymore. That is why, when his macho lawyer friend Alfonso blames him for not having young mistresses "like every other senior Italian male," Gianni begins to ask himself questions about what it is like to become old. The film is in Italian with English subtitles and is rated PG.

Tickets for all of the films are $6 for regular admission and $5 for senior citizens, students, faculty and children. Updated information may be obtained by visiting www.hope.edu/arts/knick[2]. The Knickerbocker Theatre is located in downtown Holland at 86 E. Eighth St.